General Description:Golden-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia atricapilla) are large sparrows that resemble our familiar winter visitor the White-crowned Sparrow. However, Golden-crowns have black and golden-yellow on the crown rather than just black and white. The back is brown streaked with dark brown, and the sides and breast are gray with a bit of brown. The bill is dark above and light below.

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Emberizidae.

Favored Habitat: Shrubby places in the woods.

Where to Find: Don't look for Golden-crowned Sparrows around Las Vegas; rather, look for this species along the Pacific coast during winter. However, do keep an eye out for them because they sometimes show up.

Comments: This species breeds in Alaska and Canada, and winters in western Washington, Oregon, and northern California, then along the coast south to Baja California.